18 The extension of associated motion to direction, aspect and argument structure in Nilotic languages
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Doris L. Payne
Abstract
Itive and ventive directionals are common verbal categories in Nilotic (Nilo-Saharan phylum). The systems appear to be relatively old as they extend into the domain of aspect and are lexicalized in certain stems. In their directional use, itive and ventive forms are deictic, specifying orientation or direction relative to a point of reference. With certain lexical root types and contexts, they communicate (especially simultaneous) associated motion. They can manipulate argument structure, for instance creating <agent theme> stems from <agent source> roots. This function is likely a consequence of their associated motion function, as translational movement necessarily entails a theme that moves. However, a corpus study of Eastern Nilotic Maa (Maasai variety) shows that, modernly, associated motion is much less frequent than directional uses. If AM were the historically earlier function, the directionals have clearly diversified well beyond this.
Abstract
Itive and ventive directionals are common verbal categories in Nilotic (Nilo-Saharan phylum). The systems appear to be relatively old as they extend into the domain of aspect and are lexicalized in certain stems. In their directional use, itive and ventive forms are deictic, specifying orientation or direction relative to a point of reference. With certain lexical root types and contexts, they communicate (especially simultaneous) associated motion. They can manipulate argument structure, for instance creating <agent theme> stems from <agent source> roots. This function is likely a consequence of their associated motion function, as translational movement necessarily entails a theme that moves. However, a corpus study of Eastern Nilotic Maa (Maasai variety) shows that, modernly, associated motion is much less frequent than directional uses. If AM were the historically earlier function, the directionals have clearly diversified well beyond this.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
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Part I: Perspectives and general issues
- 1 Introduction: associated motion as a grammatical category in linguistic typology 3
- 2 A cross-linguistic survey of Associated Motion and Directionals 31
- 3 Serial verb constructions and motion semantics 87
- 4 Associated motion and directionals: where they overlap 129
- 5 Deictic directionality as associated motion: motion, complex events and event integration in African languages 163
- 6 A visual stimulus for eliciting associated motion 201
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Part II: Australia and South Pacific
- 7 Associated motion in the Pama-Nyungan languages of Australia 231
- 8 Mudburra associated motion in an areal perspective 325
- 9 “Now the story’s turning around”: Associated motion and directionality in Ende, a language of Papua New Guinea 357
- 10 Preverbal directionals as markers of associated motion in Paluai (Austronesian; Oceanic) 385
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Part III: The Americas
- 11 Associated motion in Chácobo (Pano) in typological perspective 419
- 12 Pilagá directionals and the typology of associated motion 451
- 13 Associated motion in North America (including Mexico and Central America) 485
- 14 Associated motion in the Otomi family 527
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Part IV: Africa
- 15 Associated motion in Bantu languages 569
- 16 Associated motion and deictic directional in Atlantic languages 611
- 17 Ventive, associated motion and aspect in Jóola Fóoñi (Atlantic) 665
- 18 The extension of associated motion to direction, aspect and argument structure in Nilotic languages 695
- 19 The ‘along’–deictic-directional verb suffix complex in Kupsapiny 747
- 20 At the intersection of associated motion, direction and exchoative aspect in the Koman languages 779
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Part V: Asia
- 21 Associated motion in Sino-Tibetan, with a focus on Gyalrongic and Kiranti 819
- 22 Associated motion in Tungusic languages: a case of mixed argument structure 855
- Subject Index 899
- Language Index 907
- Name Index 917
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
-
Part I: Perspectives and general issues
- 1 Introduction: associated motion as a grammatical category in linguistic typology 3
- 2 A cross-linguistic survey of Associated Motion and Directionals 31
- 3 Serial verb constructions and motion semantics 87
- 4 Associated motion and directionals: where they overlap 129
- 5 Deictic directionality as associated motion: motion, complex events and event integration in African languages 163
- 6 A visual stimulus for eliciting associated motion 201
-
Part II: Australia and South Pacific
- 7 Associated motion in the Pama-Nyungan languages of Australia 231
- 8 Mudburra associated motion in an areal perspective 325
- 9 “Now the story’s turning around”: Associated motion and directionality in Ende, a language of Papua New Guinea 357
- 10 Preverbal directionals as markers of associated motion in Paluai (Austronesian; Oceanic) 385
-
Part III: The Americas
- 11 Associated motion in Chácobo (Pano) in typological perspective 419
- 12 Pilagá directionals and the typology of associated motion 451
- 13 Associated motion in North America (including Mexico and Central America) 485
- 14 Associated motion in the Otomi family 527
-
Part IV: Africa
- 15 Associated motion in Bantu languages 569
- 16 Associated motion and deictic directional in Atlantic languages 611
- 17 Ventive, associated motion and aspect in Jóola Fóoñi (Atlantic) 665
- 18 The extension of associated motion to direction, aspect and argument structure in Nilotic languages 695
- 19 The ‘along’–deictic-directional verb suffix complex in Kupsapiny 747
- 20 At the intersection of associated motion, direction and exchoative aspect in the Koman languages 779
-
Part V: Asia
- 21 Associated motion in Sino-Tibetan, with a focus on Gyalrongic and Kiranti 819
- 22 Associated motion in Tungusic languages: a case of mixed argument structure 855
- Subject Index 899
- Language Index 907
- Name Index 917
